Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Thisdissertation examines the utility of a new measure of schizotypy, the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale (MSS) to assess for the construct using the current conceptual model of schizotypy as attenuated schizophrenia using confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, thisdissertation utilizes exploratory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of two commonly used measures of schizotypy, the SPQ and CPPS, and the MSS. Self-report questionnaires are often used to measure schizotypy given its latent nature. However, continued debate related to the factor structure of schizotypy has led to a lack of consistency in the way in which schizotypy is defined and measured by researchers leading to difficulties comparing the current body of literature on the construct. Participants included 770 college students enrolled at a Midwestern university recruited as part of a larger study through introductory psychology courses. 504 individuals produced valid profiles and were retained in the final sample. Maximum likelihood estimation CFA was utilized to determine the goodness of a three-factor model on the MSS. The model originally suggested by Kwapil et al. (2018b) produced an exceptional fit with the current data. Several factor extraction methods, including the Kaiser Criterion, scree plot examination, total variance explained, and interpretability of factors were used to determine the factor structure of the subscales of the MSS, SPQ, and CPPS using EFA. All methods provided support for a three-factor model. Thisdissertation provides additional support for the use of the MSS compared to previous measures when assessing schizotypy and support for the current conceptual model of schizotypy as attenuated schizophrenia.

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